Ayittey Powers Vomits Visa Cash

Michael Ayittey Okine, alias Ayitey Powers, a professional Ghanaian boxer accused of taking monies from two businessmen in Kumasi amounting to GH¢14,000 – under the pretext of securing them visas – has paid some of the monies to an Accra circuit court.

The accused has so far paid an amount of GH¢11,000 to the court, presided over by Aboagye Tandoh.

His counsel, Jerry Shaib, has prayed the court to give them some time to finish payment after his client had paid GH¢6,000 yesterday.

The case has subsequently been adjourned to August 4, 2015.

The boxer has pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and has been granted a GH¢50,000 bail with two sureties.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Isaac Agbemehia, said the complainants are Nana Oppong Yaw of Asuoyeboah and Kofi Asante of Abrepoh Junction in Kumasi.

According to him, in November 2013, Ayittey Powers took advantage of his boxing profession to acquire visas for some Ghanaians to travel to Australia as part of his boxing team.

He said some Ghanaians resident in Australia who heard the deal, went and saw the boxer and told him they wanted some family members to join them, and he promised he could assist by acquiring visas for them.

The prosecutor stated that as a result of that, Nana Oppong paid to the accused GH¢6,500 while Asante gave him GH¢7,500 and he (Ayittey) took their passports, saying he was going to acquire visas for them.

Furthermore, he said that even though the complainants were not boxers, the accused acquired boxers' identification cards for them from the boxing authority, which he forwarded to the Australian High Commission and showed evidence to the complainants on February 12, 2014.

Explaining further, the prosecutor said the complainants were not satisfied with the outcome of their visa applications and asked the boxer for a refund, but he failed to do so.

According to Chief Inspector Agbemehia, the victims reported the matter to the police and the boxer – recently defeated by Bukom Banku, another Ghanaian boxer – was arraigned before court.

By Fidelia Achama